Day 198

Today is a kind of catch up day for me...I have defensive driving to do for a speeding ticket I got leaving Galveston last month (boo!), I've updated the blog, I have a house to clean and such that when I go back to work everything is a "perfect" as it can be, and laundry to do. In addition, mom and I are going to go see Friends with Benefits I think. I realize this is a weird choice to see with my mother, but I want to see it really badly...because I LOVE Justin Timberlake AND Mila Kunis, so I am sure I will love it. We also will probably go to Ham's to get some fresh produce to make Hadley some food and probably will pick up some AWESOME chicken salad...oh man that stuff is good!

Day 197

Today was Hadley doctor's appointment to recheck her ears. They seem to be better, but I'm not a doctor. The doctor said everything looked great, but that she had lots of earwax. Tell me something I don't know. I clean her ears all the time....she has Schmidt ears, just like me and just like  her Bop. I am fairly certain tubes are in her future...we shall see on that one. On the way home from the doctor we stopped by Once Upon A Child to see if they had a excersaucer and an extra pack in play for me to have something to put Hadley in while I shower, because she has just about outgrown the bassinet. We found both at an AWESOME price, I love that store. The exersaucer is really similar to the one she loved at Tara's so when we put her in it she knew what to do.

Shortly after I met up with Josh to do the "Hadley exchange," she will be with him for the entire weekend, this is a first. I am going to miss her a ton, but am glad she is spending quality time with her daddy, her grandparents, and even great grandparents.

Day 196

Today mom, Hadley, and I are headed back to Terrell for a doctor's appointment on Friday and so that Hadley can see her daddy for his weekend. Before we headed out, I made Hadley a ton of food- sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, mangoes, pears, prunes, and tried two new ones spinach and turnips. She hasn't had the turnips yet. However, she tried the spinach, she didn't spit it out, but didn't seem to crazy about it- we will try again, because I LOVE spinach and it is so good for you.

The trip home was pretty good Hadley really slept almost the whole way, that always makes things MUCH easier!

Day 195

Since today was my last day in Humble for a few days, I had to get one more get together in. Tara, Stephanie, and I had plans to go visit Landon for a while then we would go out for some baby free dinner (this doesn't happen for me very often, so I was excited). Before we could go to dinner Hadley and I made our way to visit my mom/Gigi at work for lunch. I was excited to put Hadley in the new outfit I bought at Target (with her new bow I bought a few weeks ago). I posted this picture on my Facebook and lots of people loved it, I also posted on my message board and got a few snarky comments. Several girls called it "passive aggressive," to which I seriously roll my eyes. I mean, yes I can see how it CAN be taken that way, but I thought it was funny. I am a fan of funny things on baby clothes- I have learned not everyone is, and hey that's fine with me. Either way my baby is stinkin' cute in ANYTHING she wears and I got lots of compliments this day. Everyone is a critic, especially in the mommy world- that's been a lesson I am reminded of constantly. Personally I think most moms (especially those actively seeking advice and such on a message board) have their child's best interest in mind...maybe you don't agree with their methods, but every baby is different, and what works for one may not for the other....I am just saying (and rant over!)

Dinner with the girls was a blast, we had a good time catching up on gossip!

Day 194

On June 30th, Tara and I had a lunch date at Italliano's. However, the day before she had an OB check up, I thought to myself she wouldn't be making that lunch, because she would be sent to the hospital to have that baby. Lo and behold (oh yes I just said lo and behold), Landon Clay was born on June 30- thus no delicious lunch was had. Today we made up that yummy lunch. I had an awesome lasagna. It was huge I ate about half and had the rest for dinner. On a girls lunch if one girl wants dessert, it the others duty to oblige and also order dessert to make sure the other doesn't feel "guilty" so we each had a huge slice of cheesecake, I had some of that to take home to. Hadley was great and our waiter took a serious vested interest in making her smile EVERY time he came to the table. Evidently this made her tired, because as soon as we got in the car she passed out!

Day 193

Today Tara was finally feeling better and was ready for an outing, so she, Hadley, and I headed to Wal-Mart ( my LEAST favorite place in the world), but then we came to our senses and headed to Target. We bought some outfits for our precious babies ( I am really excited about one of them!), formula (she is just supplementing, she is sticking to breast feeding- I am proud of her and also a tad bit jealous...), and I picked up a few things for my mom.

After shopping we headed back to to Tara's so I could see and hold tiny baby Landon. OH MY GOSH, he is PRECIOUS and so small. I know Hadley is only 6 months old, and only 10 pounds heavier, but she seems like monster baby next to him. I don't know what is wrong with my brain, because I can't remember her being so tiny...but she was. I am glad she isn't anymore. I don't have to worry about the bobble neck ( that is my number one fear of holding babies), and I can carry her around on my hip---sure my back hurts from carrying a baby that size a little more than it used to, but that's okay. I guess seeing a newborn makes me realize how much Hadley has grown and changed in just six months time- it is kind of crazy!

While at Tara's Hadley tried out an exersaucer they had for Landon and she loved it- mental note I must get one ASAP!

Day 192

Gigi and PaPa James had an Astro's game to go to tonight ( you know that OTHER baseball team in Texas...) so Hadley and I spent the whole day window shopping. Hadley does really well shopping, I think she actually likes it. We started at Target, then went to Home Goods, Dress Barn, Famous Footwear, Kohl's, and TJ Maxx. She started to get a little cranky so I knew she was getting pretty hungry, so we headed home.

I had heard such raves from other moms on this message board I am on ( for fellow moms of Decemeber 2010 babies, if you have a baby and you aren't on something similar you are REALLY missing out) about blueberries, and I know they are really good for anyone, so we gave them a shot. She LOVED them! I can't wait until she can try strawberries, but we have a long time to go until that milestone...

Day 191

Today we did some more errand running. Our first stop was CVS I had to pick up a wrist brace, because I have developed tendinitis since having Hadley and have had severe pain for the last couple months. I finally went to the doctor yesterday and he said that was pretty much all I could do, what a waste of a time and money! After CVS we were off to Babies R Us to get look at storage items for homemade baby food, price exercausers (because I am the only mom of a 6 month old I know that doesn't have one, and evidently they will give me a few moments of free time), and to buy a baby shower gift for my friend Amy. At the checkout line we saw the teething toy Sophie the giraffe I had been eying for a while, so we picked that up too (and Hadley LOVES her). Our final stop was Kroger, the highlight of this trip was I got an awesome blender on sale- it really does a great job of pureeing food for Hadley-which is pretty important. Hadley has had a few slight choking scares, but do you know what that little stinker has learned from that experience?? She learned that if she makes any sound(s) close to choking mommy will freak out and give her extra experience. For example, while walking in the store when she is not eating or drinking she will make that noise, or if I am putting her in her high chair putting on her bib. She is so manipulative, she will do it until I look at her and then just smile and laugh. I am telling you, she is going to be a handful!


When we got home, I put my new blender right to work and made carrots, apple sauce (which so far is the one thing Hadley doesn't really like- but she does like apple juice when I have had to give it to her for constipation; she is the opposite of me on this), and green beans. For dinner that night she had green beans and pears, I need to do green veggies (which I personally love) more often. Up next will be spinach. I have tried broccoli, but was very disappointed at the consistency, so I will try that again later once I gather some input from fellow moms.

Day 190

My mom is off on Fridays, so today we had a "girls day." I have been looking EVERYWHERE for sheets to go with my new red comforter. I am really wanting something zebra to match my shower curtain, and also because I want to join the cast of Jerseylicious! We scoured the mall and found NOTHING. It was quite depressing. The only good find of the day, was a bubble wand from Gymboree. The lady that runs the infant lap time at the library had one and Hadley seemed to REALLY love the bubbles, so we got one of own. It is difficult to see the bubbles in the pictures, but I promise- they are there!

Day 189

Today our outing was to the best place on earth- Target! They were having a great sale on comforters so I had to go get myself one (a red coverlet/quilt that looks so good on my bed!). We also had to go check out the baby section, in which I found some adorable outfits for Hadley that I took mental inventory of, so that when I returned to Target in the near future I could snag up. We pretty much had a low key day today, OTHER THAN THE FACT that Hadley has decided she is going to fight sleep at ALL costs. When is completely obvious she is tired, rubbing her eyes, yawning, nodding off...if I try to rock her or do anything to suggest I am trying to help her fall asleep, she will fight it until she ultimately passes out. This is extremely frustrating and can sometimes last up to an hour- it's sort of a nightmare, that I am hoping/praying is only a phase- she is STUBBORN, it scares me know what the future holds (I am dreading the terrible twos more that the average bear). I have tried the ole crying it out method, but it DOESN'T work. Hadley can work herself up into quite a tizzy; she goes from crying to hyperventilating in less than a minute. This too shall pass....right?!?

No picture today sorry!

Day 188

Today my plan was to take Hadley to the library, since she seemed to love it last time. We went on Wednesday this time, instead of Friday- and let me tell you the Wednesday session was PACKED. Things started off great (can you predict where this is heading??) We sang some songs, did bubbles and she seemed mildly entertained. Then came story time; she started out a little whinny and before I knew it, she was full on crying, so we gathered our things and left. Turns out she was a little hungry so after a bottle she fell right to sleep.
When we got back home, it was time for lunch so Hadley enjoyed a combination of carrots, peaches, and mangoes- another hit!

Day 187

One of the first foods Hadley ever had was sweet potato. On it's own she doesn't really like it all that well. I have mixed it with banana in the past, but banana also has the tendency to back her up. It was this that lead me to think I needed to find something that had the opposite effect---thus one of her favorite blends was created...sweet potatoes and prunes. Judging by her bib it also appears she had a side of mango, which she loves also. I think Hadley is really starting to dig this whole eating thing. The was the first day we successfully completed three whole meals...unfortunately, the result was not a baby that slept through the night.

Day 186

Today was the first day of my mom's two week vacation, which meant Hadley and I were on our own during the day. Since returning from Terrell yesterday, I have become obsessed with really incorporating eating into Hadley's diet. I want her to enjoy food and want her to eventually get to three meals a day. I know she is REALLY ready for solids as she tries to eat anything and everything that anyone around her has. As a warning, many pictures from this point forward will be food based, as each time I introduce a new food I wanted to capture it on film!

I am someone that hates being cooped up inside, I need to have social interaction, with someone other than my baby during the day...thus I made it a point to at least take Hadley to meet up with Gigi for her lunch break. Her is Hadley looking adorable in her new purple bow!

Day 185

Today we made the trip back to Humble again, and I am happy to report that Hadley did REALLY well in the car and slept most of the way (this made me feel MUCH better, because eventually I will have to make this drive by myself again, and I was scared Hadley was getting a little to used to have a second passenger in the car).


When we got to Humble, James had bought some prunes for me to prepare and give to Hadley. Since we have started solids, Hadley has had a difficult time staying regular, and I have heard from everyone prunes really "get things moving." I was worried she would not like them; however, Hadley quickly made it apparent they were her new favorite food. They look a little disgusting on her face, but they a good addition to her daily diet!

Day 184

Hadley was supposed to be going to her dad's today, but for a variety of reasons that didn't happen... So, we took Hadley to the pool and checked out a consignment shop/baby boutique in Terrell, called Mother Goose, they have some REALLY cute stuff. I also worked on Hadley's baby book today, that thing is getting pretty full and it's only half way done...


In other news, the pediatrician suggested we give Hadley oatmeal, since we are not doing rice cereal. We bought some, with bananas, and she LOVES it. She had some for breakfast and some for dinner with some more peaches from Ham's.

Day 183

Today was Hadley's 6 month check-up. We got a bit of good news and some bad news....

She has jumped up to the 50th percentile from the the 5th in both height and head circumference. She weighs almost 16 pounds, I was really expecting more. She is right where she is supposed to be developmentally, and we got the go ahead to give spinach and broccoli. We are increasing her Prevacid dosage, so hopefully she will spit up hardly ever!

Hadley in the waiting room at the doctor's office.

In bad news...she has an ear infection, AGAIN. I am worried she has inherited my problematic ears. We go back in 2 weeks to follow up.


On a completely unrelated and random note, in the elevator on the way to the doctor, we were in the company of Todd Phillips, the preacher I had mentioned in a previous post. Lakepointe, where we go to church, is a mega church, I mean it is huge, so it was like a once in a life time opportunity. I had to say something, so I told him were regular attenders and that his messages always hit so close to home. He was really nice and I was really star struck, I guess I had just never been brave enough to stand in line to talk to him, but I just had to...I am a nerd I know!

Day 182

Today, we had to head back to Terrell, for Hadley's 6 month check tomorrow morning, but before we did Hadley got a new toy. She always is reaching for my iphone and wants to so very badly to put it in her mouth. My mom came up with a good idea, we gave her one of the old cell phones we had around the house (sans battery of course) and she loves it. I am fairly confident this in now her favorite toy...

Day 181

Evidently every first Tuesday of the month is free at the Houston Zoo, so since I had wanted to take Hadley for a while now, today was the perfect day. That free stuff is great, otherwise it would be over $30 just for my mom and me- that's a lot to walk around and look at caged animals, at least I think so....

Anyway, before going to the zoo, we HAD to ride the train around Hermann Park, I mean you can't go to the zoo and NOT ride that train- it would be crazy. Then we headed to the zoo, it was pretty crowded, but not as bad as you might think (however, as we were leaving at about 5; since the free price is only from 2-6, we passed a massive line of cars trying to go to the zoo, so I guess we missed the HUGE crowd). We look at bat and fish first, mostly because they were inside and we were hot from our train ride. Hadley loved both and was really watching them move around, it was cute. Then we made our trek around the zoo. Hadley slept through the tigers, lions, bears, and our search for the elephants (which evidently aren't there at the moment). She woke up just in time for the giraffes and loved them! It was a hot, but fun day. I can't wait to take Hadley back when she is a little bit older!

Day 180

Happy 4th of July!

In true Megan fashion, Hadley had a few festive outfits to celebrate America's Independence in. I even made her tutu myself. I think that her red, white, and blue tutu is my favorite holiday outfit yet.
How did we celebrate, you ask? Well, we went to Lowes, Home Goods, and Target with my dad looking at drapes, then we helped him hang them, or watched him hang them...

Later that evening Hadley had a delicious dinner of pears, and played with bowls and spoons some more!

Day 179

My mom and I decided to take Hadley to the community pool today, since it was so hot. Hadley has had been in the pool at my apartment before and loved it; recently I bought a little float at CVS and this was our first time to give it a whirl. She seemed to love it, and no surprise at all, she desperately wanted to eat it/ figure out some way to get it in her mouth. We didn't stay long because it was so incredibly hot, but my mom did get some pictures, none of which I knew she was taking, so please excuse how AWFUL I look in these photos- thanks!

Later that afternoon, my mom decided to let Hadley play around with bowls and measuring cups, claiming I liked them so well as a baby. She seemed to be quite entertained...and to think how many toys she has, she would be happy with things around the house- I must keep this in mind!

Day 178

Today we got to go visit Tara and Landon in the hospital before they were discharged. Landon had to go spend some time with the nurses shortly after we got there, but I got to hold and love on him a bit before they did. He is SO precious and SO tiny- he made Hadley look like a giant baby. I don't feel like Hadley is so big, in fact most people comment she is so tiny, but she is certainly not a newborn, even if she does sleep like one! Tara looked amazing and I am so proud of her for going through child birth- she said it was the worst pain ever, kinda made me glad I didn't have to go through that.

Day 177

Today we were supposed to go visit Tara, Billy, and Landon in the hospital, but Tara called and said Landon was getting tests and such much of the day, so that plan got nixed. Instead, Gigi and I took Hadley to the Atascocita Library for "Infant Lap Time." Basically moms bring their babies and sit in a circle and sing songs, play games, read stories, play with puppets and miscellaneous toy, and if you are Hadley, you spend most of the time staring at the little boy sitting next to you...( umm, Hadley you are six months old, it is WAY to early to be boy crazy!!). After lap time, mom and I scanned the library for summer reads, but everything of interest was checked out, so I went on and bought The Help. I am having a hard time finding time to read it, but when I do get a chance, it is a page turner!

That night Hadley had her third veggie- squash! She loved to eat, but she also loved to play with it on her tray and squish it in her fingers...but I think that kind of exploration is just as important as anything else. I need to be better about getting veggies in her diet. I think brocolli and green beans will be next. It really is fun to make her food myself, it makes me feel like I am taking a real vested interest in what she eats. In the long run, I am just hoping to have a good eater, someone really willing to try anything. We shall see...

Day 176

This morning Hadley woke up as a SIX MONTH OLD!

The past six months have really and truly flown by so quickly. It is scary to think that 6 months from now I will have a one year old- YIKES! What happened to my tiny baby? As fate would have it one of my BFFs, Tara, had her baby Landon today ( I think it is pretty cool they are exactly 6 months apart). Seeing her tiny baby, makes me really realize how much Hadley has grown and changed. I think a half birthday is sort of a big deal, and wanted to doing something special to celebrate this day for Hadley. I thought letting her have her own little two bite cupcake seemed appropriate and I am fairly certain Hadley agreed!

Keeping true to format, here is a list of highlights from this month:

• We really started solids food this month (after discovering rice cereal made her seriously constipated, we decided just to go on and start purees). Hadley's first taste of food was bananas, she has since tried: sweet potatoes, avocados, squash, peas, carrots, pears, peaches and apples. She has loved them all (peaches were her favorite, peas caused rash)
• She has graduated from assisted sitter, to full on sitter
• She is babbling and laughing up a storm. I know she thinks she is communicating full paragraphs to me, I am just working on figuring out what she is saying!
• We are making progress towards crawling. She can scoot and seems to want to crawl, she is just having a hard time figuring out how to make her arms and legs work together.
• Sleep is hit and miss, she has slept for stretches of about 6 hours, but also has periods where she is up after an hour and half...I keeping praying we will come to a reasonable compromise before I go back to work in August...
• She has a HUGE interest in faces, she doesn't care if she knows you or not, she wants to grab your lips, suck on your nose and cheek, eat your hair, the list goes on...she is a bit odd!
• It is clear she wants to do things for herself. While feeding her she will take a few bites from the spoon while I am feeding her, but will insist upon grabbing the spoon and doing it for herself- I can only imagine what the terrible twos are going to be like!
• Overall, she is a very happy, social babies and loves being around people, and most people seem to love her!

Day 175

Hadley and I have developed a new morning routine. We wake up and go sit in her swing outside, she enjoys a snack in her mesh feeder and we listen to Kidd Kraddick on my I heart radio app, it just works for us!

Today was sort of a lazy, hot day. After playing all day, we decided to let Hadley play in her pool in the backyard. Since it was so hot we decided to skip the swim suit, thus, Hadley took her first shot at skinny dipping!

Day 174

My mom decided to take off a few days to spend with Hadley and I (which was great for me, because I always love having someone around to help me with the baby...oh and I guess I like spending time with my mom too...). I promised my mom I would spend one of those days cleaning the house and decided that day should be done with pretty quickly- so we spent today doing that and playing with Hadley. Hadley really seems to love her musical table and I am really excited about all the things it has the potential to teach her in English AND Spanish...we shall see. Now if only she could stand at this thing herself- it would be perfect, but we will get there!

Today, also marked a mini-milestone. Hadley sat in a restaurant high chair for the first time. Good bye to the days of lugging her around in the carrier. She seemed to like the cover and actually was REALLY good. 

Day 173

My dad is in the process of moving from the condo he has rented for about 20 years, to one near by he purchased. If you know me, you know that I don't really do moving, if you need help moving- do NOT call me. HOWEVER, there are 2 things I am good at in that regard: packing and setting up everything in the new place. This is where I felt my dad could use my help. So Hadley and I made a visit to see her Bop and we basically decided where everything would go (that is a trait we all have in common- we are all great at telling others what to do...I am scared at how quickly Hadley is developing this trait).

All in all it was a great day, I am glad Hadley is getting to see her Bop a little more often, and I like spending time with my dad and kinda feel like I am helping in some way too.

Day 172

Today mom and I went to church and heard a great message called "Identity Crisis" given by Todd Phillips. He is relatively new, but every time he preaches, I really feel he knows what is going on in my life, no matter what he always addresses some struggle, question, or even amazement of how AWESOME God is- he just hits the nail on the head every time! Just thought I throw that out there...

Anyway, after church mom and I did some shopping and found the Leapfrog musical table, everyone I know had been raving about for $17 at Once Upon a Child- it look like it had never been used (for you non-parents that thing brand new is like $50, so this is quite the steal)! After shopping we got to go pick up Hadley from her Nana's and head back to Humble (where Hadley and I are spending the month of July- spending time with family, getting ready for Landon to be here, etc.). The ride back was decent, but not Hadley's finest. 

When we got home, we made Hadley a special treat- peaches picked at Ham's Orchard in Terrell. OH. MY. GOODNESS. That girl LOVES peaches she chowed down on them (as you can see) and enjoyed them again later in the week in her mesh feeder (one of her new favorite things)!